Officials at the United States Embassy in Nepal say they are alarmed by the possibility of an alliance between Maoist rebels and political parties in the Himalayan kingdom.

An official statement released by the Embassy says the United States supports the restoration of democracy in Nepal as well as the prevention of a Maoist takeover.

Nepal's seven major political parties recently offered to talk to the Maoists about forming a broad front opposed to King Gyanendra on the condition that the rebels end violent attacks aimed at civilians.

The king assumed emergency powers earlier this year and ousted the kingdom's four-party government for failing to make progress in the battle against the rebels, who have been fighting since 1996 to overthrow the monarchy.